The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-03
ORDAINED A CATHOLIC.
A Member of the New York Van Rensselaer,
Family to Give Up the Episcopal Faith.

A Member of the New York Van Rensselaer,
Family to Give Up the Episcopal Faith.
New York Commercial Advertiser.
A ceremony of peculiar interest occurred at
the o'clock at st. Patrick's Cathedral on
Fifth avenue. this morning, when Archbishop
Corrigan, clad in the red vestments of the
church, ordained the Rev. Fathers Burke and
Cullen deacons for the community of the
Paulist fathers. and subsequently the Rev.
Henry Van Rensselaer,, of the historic Albany
family, member of the priesthood. The
ceremony witnessed by a small audience
Mr. Van Rensselaer, is a convert TO the Roman
Catholic religion from the Episcopal ministry.
de appeared before the Archbishop clad in
white, and received the prestly robes of office
directly from his superior In concluding the
ceremony, the Archbishop put into his hands the
chalice. patena and water to signify the power
of saying mass. After this the young
made his vows of obedience to his superiors in
the church, having previously recited the apos-
ties creed. Nearly of priests took part.
All the candidates had spent the previous night
in fasting and prayer. Father Van Rensselaer,
will say his first at ST. Francis Xavier's
Church tomorrow morning He has become
member of the Society of Jesus. and his special
field of labor will be missionary among the
Indians.
The young man is grandson of General
Stephen Van Rensselaer, the last of the Albany
patroons. His father. the late General Henry
Van Rensselaer, a graduate Of West Point,
and a brieadier- general in the civil war. On his
mothers side the young priest is also very
highly connected. She a daughter of ex-
Governor King. of this State. General Van
Rensselaer, died some years ago. His widow
and family reside at No. 81 East Ninth street,
in this city.
The Rev. Mr. Van Rensselaers course in
espousing the Catholic faith has met with much
disfavor among the members OF the Van Rens-
seaer family. The young priests aged mother,
according to a statement made by of the
Van Rensselaers to-day, is greatly distressed
over the matter. Friends of the family have
been especially surprised at the step.
The priest is handsome young man,
talented and well qualified, it is said.
for the duties of the Office to which he has been
chosen. The members of his family have for
years been attendants at the Church Of the Holy
Communion, at Sixth avenue and Twentieth
street. which is presided by Rev. Henry
Mottett. This place of worship is quite free
from high church ritualistic forms. Consequent
ly the astonishment of the Van Rensselaers was
great when the oldest sister of the present con-
vert, Miss Euphemia went over to the Catholic
faith, and ultimately became a Sister Of Charity.
Subsequently another sister, Mrs. Waddington,
also became converted to the Catholic faith, and
then Mr.. Waddington. Now the brother has
been ordained to the priesthood. and the stricken
mother is left with but one child of her own
faith
Amember of the Van Rensselaer, family express
ed himself as follows to q reporter: The trouble
began with Euphemia. She became infatuated
with the ceremonies of the Catholic Church and
went over to it. Then she proseyted her sister
and her sisters husband, and finally she sue
ceeded in winning over Henry. We don't con-
slider him a man of very vigorous mental powers.
/ don't know but this trouble will kill his moth
Henry must be about thirty eight years old.
He graduated at the Episcopal Theological Sem
mary here six years ago. and then commenced
studying for Catholic orders. He has never of
ficiated in Episcopal church Euphema is
very ardent Catholic She went to Pope
Leo TX, and he blessed her. Then she asked
him what she could do for the Catholic Church,
and ne told her to win over many of her fam
lily to the faith she could. She does penance
much of the time. She has a horror of children,
and consequently is stationed in one of the or
phan asylums up the Hudson at present"